A draft motion to be set before the Synod when it meets in York next month July also proposes that moves to allow clergy to enter same-sex civil marriages be deferred pending further work by the Faith and Order Commission. The matter would then return to Synod in February next year. Regarding the Prayers of Love and Faith PLF , which were approved for use in the context of routine services after the November meeting of the Synod last year, the paper lays out a proposal for them to be used in stand-alone services.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Bishop Snow suggested that, even if approved, such services were unlikely to happen before the end of the year. THE question of how formalised any alternative episcopal arrangements should be has been a point of contention among the working groups, and between the bishops, the Church Times understands.
It was defeated in all three houses of the Synod Bishops ; Clergy ; Laity Multiple sources have reported that the proposals in the new Synod paper did not receive majority support when the full College of Bishops met on Wednesday of last week, with a proportion of members thinking that the pastoral provision being offered went too far. However, it is understood that the House of Bishops β a smaller group consisting of diocesan bishops and a handful of elected suffragans β voted the proposals through.
Minutes from the House of Bishops are currently not made public, but in July the Synod will consider proposals to make its decision making more transparent News, 19 June. The lead bishop for the process, like other Synod members on all sides of the debate, saw the benefit of an early finish. Referring to provisions which, since late last year News, 18 November This is because many feel that this is the only way they can find a voice for their concern and a spiritual oversight that has integrity.
That this Synod: a support the overall proposal and timetable set out in GS ; b request that the House of Bishops, with the advice of the LLF working groups: i. Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite. It is an exciting time in the Diocese of Lichfield as we develop our diocesan strategy and pursue our vision of a diocese that is purposeful about evangelism, engaging creatively with local communities, becoming more diverse and growing younger.
